Pirke Avot Class

Pirke Avot (Ethics of the Fathers) — Don’t Give Up On Ethics

This class will focus on the collection of ethical teachings found in our rabbinic tradition from nearly two thousand years ago. It is traditional to study Pirke Avot (Ethics of the Fathers) from Passover to Shavuot. We will read and discuss the sayings of many famous rabbis including Hillel and Shammai. Pirke Avot is a must for those wanting to examine ethics and morals in Judaism.

Reservations are required. Please register with Patty in the Temple office at 408-358-1751 x7.

Instructors: Jeffrey Levine, first three sessions, and Rabbi Steve Kaplan

Jeffrey Levin has been a long-time instructor in the Shir Hadash Hebrew High School program and has also taught adult courses in Hebrew, PACE and adult Bar/Bat Mitzvah program. He studied Ancient Near Eastern Studies at the University of California, Berkeley, Bible and Archaeology at the Hebrew University. Jeffrey also received his Master’s Degree in Jewish History from the Jewish Theological Seminary.

Rabbi Steven Kaplan is Rabbi Emeritus at Temple Beth Torah in Fremont, California. He was previously involved in the Ethiopian Jewry Rescue Movement to bring Ethiopian Jews to Israel. He was selected to represent the Bay Area and go on missions to Ethiopia and Israel in the fall of 1981. He has remained active in the movement for the past twelve years. Rabbi Kaplan has participated in all aspects of congregational life.